ap psych: neurotransmitters

acetylcholine

function: memory and learning
diseases: Alzheimer’s (deficit)

dopamine

function: movement, learning, attention, emotions, motor activity, motivation, mood

location: midbrain

diseases: schizophrenia (excess), depression (deficit), social anxiety (low), Parkinson’s (deficit)

drug effects: Cocaine (dopamine transporter blocker), ecstasy increases

serotonin

function: mood, hunger, sleep, arousal, anger, body temp., aggressiveness

diseases: depression (deficit), anorexia (surplus), sleep disorders

drug effects: ecstasy, Cocaine, SSRi all inhibit serotonin reuptake

epinephrine (adrenaline)

location: adrenal gland

released during: cope with stress, increase heart rate, dilate pupils

diseases?: fight or flight

norepinephrine

location: peripheral NS

released during: moment of danger, fight or flight response, eating, sleeping

diseases: fight or flight (mania, stress, nervous tension) (surplus), depressed mood (deficit), ADHD

drug effects: ecstasy increases activity levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine

endorphins

function: natural opiates; released in response to pain + vigorous activity

diseases: don’t feel pain (surplus)

drug effects: opiates (heroin, morphine) (agonists)

GABA (gamma amino-butyric acid)

location: hippocampus

function: inhibitor, calming, hunger, sleep

diseases: overactive GABA —> panic, attacks and stress

drug effects: alcohol increases GABA (agonists)

glutamate

function: excitatory, memory, learning

diseases: overstimulate brain, seizure (surplus)